BISP is delighted to welcome Neil Harris to campus on Thursday, 24 September 2026, for a day focused on player development, coaching and high performance.

Neil spent more than 21 years within Manchester United’s Academy, working with young players from the earliest academy ages through to the professional pathway. A former English Premier League scout and now a global coach educator and player development specialist, his work focuses on creating environments that help young people develop, respond to challenges and take greater ownership of their journey. 

Throughout the day, Neil will meet with different parts of the BISP community:

Parents: Supporting Your Child’s Sporting Journey

8.05–9.05am | Primary Conference Hub

A relaxed Coffee Morning and Q&A exploring how parents can support young athletes through challenges, setbacks and development, while protecting enjoyment and encouraging greater independence.

Parents are invited to send questions for Neil in advance to [email protected].

Coaches: Seeing the Athlete, Shaping the Environment

9.15–10.00am | Primary Conference Hub

An interactive conversation for coaches looking at observation, understanding what may be driving an athlete’s behaviour or performance, and adapting the environment to support development. Frameworks, not formulas.

BTEC Sport Students: Own Your Development

10.40am–12.40pm | Primary Conference Hub

A session exploring individual strengths, understanding your own game, responding when things do not go to plan and taking greater responsibility for your development, both as an athlete and as a person.

High Performance Athletes & BTEC Sport: What High Performance Really Takes

1.35–2.30pm | Auditorium

A closer look at what high performance requires from the individual, including preparation, behaviours, responsibility, responding to challenge and turning learning into action.

Neil’s visit will offer parents, coaches and student-athletes the opportunity to hear from someone with more than two decades of experience in elite player development and consider how challenge, support and the right environment can help young people grow.